Method to determine loudspeaker change of placement

ABSTRACT

A system and method is described for determining whether a loudspeaker device has relocated, tilted, rotated, or changed environment such that one or more parameters for driving the loudspeaker may be modified and/or a complete reconfiguration of the loudspeaker system may be performed. In one embodiment, the system may include a set of sensors. The sensors provide readings that are analyzed to determine 1) whether the loudspeaker has moved since a previous analysis and/or 2) a distance of movement and/or a degree change in orientation of the loudspeaker since the previous analysis. Upon determining the level of movement is below a threshold value, the system adjusts previous parameters used to drive one or more of the loudspeakers. By adjusting previous parameters instead of performing a complete recalibration, the system provides a more efficient technique for ensuring that the loudspeakers continue to produce accurate sound for the listener.

This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/US2015/053,014, filed Sep. 29,2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/057,999, filed Sep. 30, 2014; this application claims the benefitof the provisional's filing date under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) and is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

A system and method is disclosed for determining whether a loudspeakerdevice has relocated, tilted, rotated, or otherwise been moved such thatone or more parameters for driving the loudspeaker may be modifiedand/or a complete reconfiguration of the loudspeaker or the loudspeakersystem may be performed. Other embodiments are also described.

BACKGROUND

Loudspeakers are often used by computers and home electronics foroutputting sound into a listening area. Each loudspeaker may be composedof one or more transducers that are arranged on a single plane orsurface of an associated cabinet or casing. To properly direct sound atone or more listeners, these loudspeakers must be manually oriented suchthat sound produced by each loudspeaker is aimed as intended. Thisorientation may include applying particular drive settings or otherconfiguration parameters for each of the one or more transducers in theloudspeaker. For example, a loudspeaker may be initially oriented andconfigured such that corresponding transducers produce a sound beamdirected at a listener. However, any movement of the loudspeaker mayrequire 1) manual adjustment of drive settings or 2) a completerecalibration of the system such that the generated sounds are againproperly aimed at the target listener. Accordingly, in these traditionalsystems, the listener must manually determine that one or more of theloudspeakers has moved such that recalibration and or adjustment may beperformed. This repeated manual determination of movement andcorresponding adjustment may become time consuming and may provide apoor user experience.

The approaches described in this section are approaches that could bepursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previouslyconceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it shouldnot be assumed that any of the approaches described in this sectionqualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in thissection.

SUMMARY

A system and method is disclosed for determining whether a loudspeakerdevice has relocated, tilted, rotated, or changed environment such thatone or more parameters for driving the loudspeaker may be modifiedand/or a complete reconfiguration of the loudspeaker or the loudspeakersystem may be performed. In one embodiment, the system may include a setof sensors integrated or otherwise in communication with a loudspeaker.In one embodiment, the sensors may include one or more of a videocamera, a still image camera, a compass, an accelerometer, a lightsensor, a wireless antenna, a thermometer, current/voltage monitor, amicrophone, a gyroscope, and barometer/pressure monitor. In otherembodiments, other sensing devices may be integrated or otherwise incommunication with the loudspeaker.

The sensors may provide various readings that are analyzed todetermine 1) whether the loudspeaker has moved since a previous analysisand/or 2) a distance of movement and/or a degree change in orientationof the loudspeaker since the previous analysis. Upon determining thatthe level of movement is below a threshold value, the system and methodattempts to adjust previous parameters used to drive one or more of theloudspeakers. By adjusting previous parameters instead of performing acomplete recalibration, the system and method provides a more efficienttechnique for ensuring that the loudspeakers continue to produceaccurate sound at the location of a listener despite smallmovements/changes. However, upon determining larger or non-quantifiablemovements/changes, the system and method may trigger a fullrecalibration of one or more of the loudspeakers. Accordingly, thesystem and method described herein provides a more robust routine foradjustment of loudspeakers based on varied levels of movement andchanges.

The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects ofthe present invention. It is contemplated that the invention includesall systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitablecombinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as thosedisclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed outin the claims filed with the application. Such combinations haveparticular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example andnot by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings inwhich like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted thatreferences to “an” or “one” embodiment of the invention in thisdisclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean atleast one. Also, in the interest of conciseness and reducing the totalnumber of figures, a given figure may be used to illustrate the featuresof more than one embodiment of the invention, and not all elements inthe figure may be required for a given embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a view of a listening area with an audio receiver, a set ofloudspeakers, and a listener according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a component diagram of the audio receiver according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2B shows a component diagram of a loudspeaker according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead, cutaway view of a loudspeaker according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4 shows the symmetrical properties of a loudspeaker according toone embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a set of directivity patterns that may be generated by aloudspeaker according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a method for configuring a loudspeaker based on detectedmovement and/or changes to the environment of the loudspeaker accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 7A shows an overhead view of the bottom end of a loudspeaker withan integrated camera facing downwards according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7B shows the direction/perspective captured by the cameraintegrated within the loudspeaker according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several embodiments are described with reference to the appendeddrawings are now explained. While numerous details are set forth, it isunderstood that some embodiments of the invention may be practicedwithout these details. In other instances, well-known circuits,structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not toobscure the understanding of this description.

FIG. 1 shows a view of a listening area 101 with an audio receiver 103,a set of loudspeakers 105A and 105B, and a listener 107. The audioreceiver 103 may be coupled to the loudspeakers 105A and 105B to driveindividual transducers 109 in the loudspeakers 105A and 105B to emitvarious sound beam patterns or other sounds into the listening area 101.In one embodiment, the loudspeakers 105A and 105B may be configured togenerate beam patterns that represent individual channels of a piece ofsound program content. For example, the loudspeakers 105A and 105B maygenerate beam patterns that represent front left, front right, and frontcenter channels of a piece of sound program content (e.g., a musicalcomposition or an audio track for a movie).

FIG. 2A shows a component diagram of the audio receiver 103 according toone embodiment. The audio receiver 103 may be any electronic device thatis capable of driving one or more transducers 109 in the loudspeakers105A and 105B. For example, the audio receiver 103 may be a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a home theater receiver,a set-top box, and/or a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone). The audioreceiver 103 may include a hardware processor 201 and a memory unit 203.

The processor 201 and the memory unit 203 are generically used here torefer to any suitable combination of programmable data processingcomponents and data storage that conduct the operations needed toimplement the various functions and operations of the audio receiver103. The processor 201 may be an applications processor typically foundin a smart phone, while the memory unit 203 may refer tomicroelectronic, non-volatile random access memory. An operating systemmay be stored in the memory unit 203 along with application programsspecific to the various functions of the audio receiver 103, which areto be run or executed by the processor 201 to perform the variousfunctions of the audio receiver 103.

The audio receiver 103 may include one or more audio inputs 205 forreceiving audio signals from an external and/or a remote device. Forexample, the audio receiver 103 may receive audio signals from astreaming media service and/or a remote server. The audio signals mayrepresent one or more channels of a piece of sound program content(e.g., a musical composition or an audio track for a movie). Forexample, a single signal corresponding to a single channel of a piece ofmultichannel sound program content may be received by an input 205 ofthe audio receiver 103. In another example, a single signal maycorrespond to multiple channels of a piece of sound program content,which are multiplexed onto the single signal.

In one embodiment, the audio receiver 103 may include a digital audioinput 205A that receives digital audio signals from an external deviceand/or a remote device. For example, the audio input 205A may be aTOSLINK connector, a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), or adigital wireless interface (e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN)adapter or a Bluetooth receiver). In one embodiment, the audio receiver103 may include an analog audio input 205B that receives analog audiosignals from an external device. For example, the audio input 205B maybe a binding post, a Fahnestock clip, or a phono plug that is designedto receive a wire or conduit and a corresponding analog signal.

In one embodiment, the audio receiver 103 may include an interface 207for communicating with the loudspeakers 105A and 105B. The interface 207may utilize wired mediums (e.g., conduit or wire) to communicate withthe loudspeakers 105A and 105B, as shown in FIG. 1. In anotherembodiment, the interface 207 may communicate with the loudspeaker array105 through a wireless connection. For example, the network interface207 may utilize one or more wireless protocols and standards forcommunicating with the loudspeakers 105A and 105B, including the IEEE802.11 suite of standards, IEEE 802.3, cellular Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) standards, cellular Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA) standards, Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards, and/or Bluetoothstandards.

FIG. 2B shows a component diagram of the loudspeaker 105A according toone embodiment. The loudspeaker 105B may be similarly or identicallyconfigured in relation to the loudspeaker 105A. As shown in FIG. 2B, theloudspeaker 105A may receive drive signals from the audio receiver 103through a corresponding interface 213 and drive each of the transducers109 in the loudspeaker 105A. As with the interface 207, the interface213 may utilize wired protocols and standards and/or one or morewireless protocols and standards, including the IEEE 802.11 suite ofstandards, IEEE 802.3, cellular Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM) standards, cellular Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)standards, Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards, and/or Bluetoothstandards. In some embodiments, the loudspeaker 105A may includedigital-to-analog converters 209 and power amplifiers 211 for drivingeach transducer 109 in the loudspeaker 105A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the loudspeakers 105A and 105B house multipletransducers 109 in corresponding cabinets 111. As shown, the cabinets111 are cylindrical; however, in other embodiments the cabinets 111 maybe in any shape, including a polyhedron, a frustum, a cone, a pyramid, atriangular prism, a hexagonal prism, a sphere, or a frusto conicalshape, all of which may have the symmetric properties referred to belowin connection with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead, cutaway view of the loudspeaker 105A accordingto one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the transducers 109 in theloudspeaker 105A encircle the cabinet 111 such that transducers 109 maycover the curved face of the cabinet 111 and are together positioned asa single ring, as shown. Accordingly, the loudspeaker 105A maintainsvertical symmetry around a vertical axis R as shown in FIG. 4. Thisvertical symmetry allows the loudspeaker array 105A to be rotated aroundthe vertical axis R while maintaining a consistent arrangement oftransducers 109 directed in relation to the listener 107. In someembodiments, the loudspeaker array 105A may have multiple degrees ofsymmetry (e.g., horizontal symmetry around a horizontal axis).

The transducers 109 may be any combination of full-range drivers,mid-range drivers, subwoofers, woofers, and tweeters. Each of thetransducers 109 may use a lightweight diaphragm, or cone, connected to arigid basket, or frame, via a flexible suspension that constrains a coilof wire (e.g., a voice coil) to move axially through a cylindricalmagnetic gap. When an electrical audio signal is applied to the voicecoil, a magnetic field is created by the electric current in the voicecoil, making it a variable electromagnet. The coil and the transducers'109 magnetic system interact, generating a mechanical force that causesthe coil (and thus, the attached cone) to move back and forth, therebyreproducing sound under the control of the applied electrical audiosignal coming from an audio source, such as the audio receiver 103. Thisdriving of the transducers 109 of the loudspeaker 105 a may be “started”by the audio source (e.g., the audio receiver 103), and as such theaudio source may also be referred to as driving the transducers 109 ordriving the loudspeaker 105 a. Although electromagnetic dynamicloudspeaker drivers are described for use as the transducers 109, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that other types of loudspeakerdrivers, such as piezoelectric, planar electromagnetic and electrostaticdrivers are possible. Further, although shown and described as includingmultiple transducers 109 and operating as an array, in some embodimentsthe loudspeaker 105A may include a single transducer 109. Although FIG.1 shows each of the loudspeakers 105A, 105B as having its transducers109 arranged in a single ring that lies in a plane and extends along acircumference of the cabinet 111, and may be driven as an array, theloudspeaker 105A may alternatively have more than one ring oftransducers that can be driven as an array.

Each transducer 109 may be individually and separately driven to producesound in response to a separate or discrete audio signal received froman audio source (e.g., the audio receiver 103). By allowing thetransducers 109 in the loudspeaker 105A to be individually andseparately driven according to different parameters and settings(including delays and energy levels), the loudspeaker 105A may producenumerous directivity/beam patterns that accurately represent eachchannel of a piece of sound program content output by the audio receiver103. For example, in one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may produceone or more of the directivity patterns shown in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may be configurable based on theposition and orientation of the loudspeaker 105A relative to otherobjects/surfaces in the listening area 101 and/or in relation to othercharacteristics of the listening area 101. For example, the loudspeaker105A may be associated with a set of parameters for driving itstransducers 109 to produce beam patterns or other sound formations. Theparameters may for example define the relative phase (or delay) andrelative gain of the digital transducer drive signals (e.g., as computedby a digital beamforming process to obtain one or more beam patternsthat are produced by the loudspeaker 105 a), which drive the transducers109, respectively. The parameters may be set to accommodate forcharacteristics of the environment in which the loudspeaker 105A islocated. For instance, the parameters may accommodate for 1) reflectionscaused by surfaces in the listening area 101 (e.g., walls, the ceiling,and the floor) and/or objects within the listening area 101 (e.g.,furniture); 2) distance between the loudspeaker 105A and the loudspeaker105B; 3) the ambient temperature, ambient pressure, and/or ambient lightlevel surrounding the loudspeaker 105A 4) current/voltage levels of apower outlet to which the loudspeaker 105A and/or the loudspeaker 105Bare attached and/or 5) proximity of the loudspeaker 105A to the listener107. By accommodating for these factors, the parameters allow theloudspeaker 105A to more accurately produce sound in the changingenvironment in which the loudspeaker 105A is situated.

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include an orientation andpositioning unit 215 (see FIG. 2b ) for determining whether theloudspeaker 105A has relocated, tilted, rotated, or the environmentsurrounding the loudspeaker 105A has otherwise changed in relation to aprevious configuration/setup. In one embodiment, in response todetermining that the loudspeaker 105A has moved (e.g., its orientationabout the vertical axis R has been altered), the orientation andpositioning unit 215 may determine a new set of parameters, to apply tothe loudspeaker 105A using a processor 219. In one embodiment, thelatter may adjust the individual, digital transducer drive signals (ofthe transducers 109, respectively) before the drive signals areconverted into analog form and amplified (by digital to analogconverters 209 and power amplifiers 211) at the inputs of thetransducers 109. The new set of parameters accommodates for the changedenvironment in which the loudspeaker 105A is now within (e.g., movementto a new location within the listening area 101 or a changed orientationrelative to other objects/surfaces in the listening area 101 and thelistener 107). In some embodiments, when the level/degree of movement(including for example a change in orientation) extends beyond a set ofthresholds, the orientation and positioning unit 215 may insteaddetermine that a full recalibration of the loudspeaker 105A and/or theloudspeaker 105B needs to be performed. By allowing discretion as towhether to perform a) only an adjustment of the current parameters basedon “small” movements of the loudspeaker 105A or b) full recalibration ofthe system in response to “large” movements of the loudspeaker 105A, theorientation and positioning unit 215 provides a more efficient techniquefor maintaining sound accuracy.

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include a set of sensors217. In this embodiment, one or more inputs from the sensors 217 may beused by the unit 215 for assisting in 1) determining whether theloudspeaker 105A has moved or the environment has changed; 2) adjustinga previous set of parameters for the loudspeaker 105A and/or theloudspeaker 105B; and 3) determining whether a full recalibration of theloudspeaker 105A and/or the loudspeaker array 105B needs to beperformed. In one embodiment, the sensors 217 may include one or more ofa video camera, a still image camera, a compass, an accelerometer, alight sensor, a wireless antenna, a thermometer, current/voltagemonitor, a microphone, a gyroscope, and barometer/pressure monitor. Inother embodiments, other sensing devices may be integrated within thecabinet 111 or otherwise in communication with the loudspeaker 105A.

Although described and shown in relation to the loudspeaker 105A, asnoted above, in some embodiments the loudspeaker 105B may be similarlyor identically configured. Further, although described and shown asbeing separate from the audio receiver 103, in some embodiments, one ormore components of the audio receiver 103 may be integrated within theloudspeaker 105A. For example, the loudspeaker 105A may further includethe hardware processor 201, the memory unit 203, and the one or moreaudio inputs 205. In this embodiment, the orientation and positioningunit 215 may be implemented as software stored in the memory unit 203that suitably programs the processor 201, or even as software thatprograms the processor 219 (see FIG. 2b ). However, in otherembodiments, the positioning unit 215 may be implemented as one or moreseparate hardware circuits.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a method 600 for configuring the loudspeaker 105Aand/or the loudspeaker 105B will be described. In one embodiment, themethod 600 determines whether the loudspeaker 105A has been relocated,tilted, rotated, or the environment surrounding the loudspeaker 105A haschanged based on a set of inputs from the sensors 217. Following adetermination that the loudspeaker 105A has moved, the method 600 may inresponse 1) modify parameters for driving each of the transducers 109(without again ascertaining the complete environment that is surroundingthe loudspeakers 105 a, 105 b) or 2) trigger a complete recalibration ofthe loudspeaker 105A and/or the loudspeaker 105B (during which, forexample, the complete environment surrounding the loudspeakers 105 a,105 b is ascertained by using a device, e.g., another camera or amicrophone array that is separate from the loudspeakers 105 a, 105 b andseparate from the audio receiver 103; this may include determining thelocation of one of the loudspeakers relative to another.)

Although shown and described in a particular order, in other embodimentsthe operations of the method 600 may be performed in a different order.For example, in some embodiments, one or more operations of the method600 may be performed during overlapping time periods.

Each operation of the method 600 may be performed by one or morecomponents of the audio receiver 103, the loudspeaker 105A, and/oranother device operating within the listening area 101. For example, inone embodiment one or more operations of the method 600 may be performedby the orientation and positioning unit 215 based on a set of inputsfrom the sensors 217. Each operation of the method 600 will now bedescribed by way of example below.

The method 600 may commence at operation 601 with the determinationof 1) the initial location and orientation of the loudspeakers 105Aand/or 105B and/or 2) the environment surrounding the loudspeakers 105Aand/or 105B. The location/orientation and environmental characteristicsmay be determined at operation 601 through the performance of an initialcalibration of the loudspeakers 105A and 105B and/or the audio receiver103 in the listening area 101. For example, duringinstallation/placement of the loudspeakers 105A and 105B in thelistening area 101, a full calibration routine may be performed. Thecalibration routine determines 1) the location of the loudspeakers 105Aand 105B in the listening area 101 and their orientation relative to atarget (e.g., the listener 107) and/or other objects (e.g., the otherloudspeaker 105A/105B) and/or 2) characteristics of the environmentsurrounding the loudspeaker 105A, the loudspeaker 105B, and/or thelistener 107. These characteristics may include the ambient temperature,ambient pressure, and ambient light level surrounding the loudspeaker105A and/or the loudspeaker 105B, and/or the current/voltage levels of apower outlet to which the loudspeaker 105A and/or the loudspeaker 105Bare attached.

In one embodiment, the calibration routine may be performed through aseries of audible or inaudible sounds played through the loudspeakers105A and 105B and detected by a separate, listening device (e.g., astandalone microphone or microphone array, or a microphone or microphonearray that is integrated within a mobile device such as a smartphone, aheadset, or a tablet computer that is located near the listener 107 orat an intended location of the listener 107). In this embodiment, eachof the transducers 109 in the loudspeakers 105A and 105B may beseparately driven to produce separate sounds during separate oroverlapping time intervals. Based on the time of arrival and leveldifferences between respective, detected sounds, the calibration routinemay determine the relative location and orientation of the loudspeakers105A and 105B.

Although described in relation to use of sounds and a microphone, inother embodiments the calibration routine at operation 601 may use othertechniques for determining the location, orientation, and environment ofthe loudspeakers 105A and 105B. For example, a video or still imagetaken by a separate camera device, from a suitable distance away fromthe loudspeakers 105 a, 105 b, may capture the entire listening area 101within its field of view, including the loudspeakers 105A and 105Band/or the listener 107. Based on object recognition processes performedupon these captured videos/images, the relative location and orientationof the loudspeakers 105A and 105B may be determined.

In some embodiments, data from the built-in sensors 217 may be used inoperation 601. For example, based on values received from the sensors217, operation 601 may determine 1) the initial location and orientationof the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105B and 2) the initial environment inwhich the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105B are located.

At operation 603, a piece of sound program content may be received orretrieved such that this piece of content may be played through theloudspeakers 105A and/or 105B. The piece of sound program content mayrepresent a musical composition, an audio track for a movie, or anyother similar sound recording that is to be played to the listener 107in the listening area 101 through the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105B.

The piece of sound program content may be received at operation 603 fromvarious sources, including streaming internet services, set-top boxes,local or remote computers, and personal audio and video devices, via oneor more of the inputs 205 of the audio receiver 103. Although describedas the piece of sound program content being received from a remote or anexternal source, in some embodiments the piece of sound program contentmay alternatively be “local” to the audio receiver 103 and thusoriginate from or be generated by the audio receiver 103 and/or theloudspeaker 105A. For example, the piece of sound program content may bestored in the memory unit 203 of the audio receiver 103, and isretrieved at operation 603.

At operation 605, a first set of parameters may be determined forplayback of the piece of sound program content through the loudspeakers105A and/or 105B. The first set of parameters may include delays, leveldifferences, gain values, and/or phase values for driving each of thetransducers 109 in the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105B. In one embodiment,the first set of parameters are generated based on the determined 1)initial location and orientation of the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105Band 2) initial environment in which the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105Bare located. In this embodiment, the first set of parameters allow theloudspeakers 105A and 105B to produce an intended set of sounds at thelocation of the listener 107 based on the initial positioning andorientation of the loudspeakers 105A and 105B relative toobjects/structures and the listener 107 and the initial environmentsurrounding the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105B. For example, the firstset of parameters may be used by the loudspeaker 105A and 105B togenerate beam patterns, which each represent separate channels for thepiece of sound program content. In one embodiment, a beamforming processis performed to produce the first set of parameters such that theyenable the loudspeaker 105 a (or loudspeaker 105 b, or both) to generatethe desired beam patterns, in view of the initial positioning andorientation of the loudspeakers 105 a, 105 b that was determined inoperation 601. In one embodiment, the beamforming process may beperformed by suitably programming the processor 201 of the audioreceiver 103, and the first set parameters may then be provided to theprocessor 219 in the loudspeaker 105 a, 105 b (which may then deliverthe individual, transducer drive signals in digital form to the DACs209.)

Following determination of the first set of parameters, operation 607may play the piece of sound program content received at operation 603using the parameters determined at operation 605. As noted above, thefirst set of parameters allows the production of an intended set ofsounds at the location of the listener 107. For example, as noted above,the first set of parameters may allow the production of separate soundbeams corresponding to respective audio channels for the piece of soundprogram content.

Since the parameters were generated based on the positioning andorientation of the loudspeakers 105A and 105B in relation to each other,in relation to the listener 107, and/or in relation to other objects andstructures in the listening area 101, the sound generated at operation607 may accurately represent the desired sound scene presented by thepiece of sound program content. However, since the first set ofparameters were tightly associated with the location, orientation, andcurrent environment of the loudspeakers 105A and 105B, any movement byone or more of the loudspeakers 105A and 105B may result in aninaccurate or non-ideal sound experience for the listener 107.

In an attempt to compensate for movement of the loudspeakers 105A and/or105B, operation 609 may determine if one or more of the loudspeakers105A and 105B have relocated, tilted, rotated, or otherwise been movedand/or if the environment surrounding the loudspeakers 105A and/105B haschanged. If no change has occurred, the method 600 may move back tooperation 607 to continue playing the piece of sound program contentusing the first set of parameters.

In one embodiment, operation 609 may determine this movement/changedenvironment based on inputs from one or more of the sensors 217. Themovement may include both vertical and horizontal changes in thelistening area 101. As noted above, in one embodiment, the sensors 217may include one or more of a video camera, a still image camera, acompass, an accelerometer, a light sensor, a wireless antenna, athermometer, current/voltage monitor, a microphone, a gyroscope, andbarometer/pressure monitor. Inputs from each of these sensors 217 willbe described by way of example below. In other embodiments, other typesof sensors may be used to detect movement/changed environment of theloudspeakers 105A and/or 105B.

Although described below in relation to the loudspeaker 105A, thesensors described may operate similarly with respect to the loudspeaker105B. Accordingly, detecting movement of either one of the loudspeakers105A and 105B may trigger adjustment of the first set of parameters, ora full recalibration, for both of the loudspeakers 105A and 105B.

Cameras

In one embodiment, a still image camera or video camera may be affixedto the loudspeakers 105A for determining movement and/or reorientationof the loudspeaker. For example, one or more cameras may be located onthe top and/or or bottom ends of the cabinet 111. In one embodiment, thecameras may be focused/directed directly downwards and/or upwardsrelative to the bottom or top ends of the loudspeaker 105A (i.e., theoptical axis of the camera is pointed at 90° relative to the surface ofthe top or bottom ends of the loudspeaker 105A). For example, FIG. 7Ashows an overhead view looking down into the cabinet 111, of the bottomend of the loudspeaker 105A (the transducers 109 are omitted from thisdrawing). As shown, the camera 217A is placed on the bottom end suchthat the camera 217A is looking downward, as demonstrated by the arrow Din FIG. 7B. In this embodiment, the camera may view the surface uponwhich the loudspeaker 105A is seated, such as the floor or a tabletop.As noted above, in some embodiments, a camera may be placed on the topend of the loudspeaker 105A in a similar fashion as described above inrelation to FIGS. 7A and 7B such that the camera may view the ceiling orother structures above the loudspeaker 105A.

The one or more cameras of the loudspeaker 105A may capture images atregular intervals or in response to another triggering event. Forexample, a camera located along the bottom end of the loudspeaker 105Amay capture still images of the floor, table, or another surface onwhich the loudspeaker 105A is situated at one minute intervals. However,in other embodiments, other time intervals may be used.

The captured images may be compared to each other, to determine if theloudspeaker 105A has moved to a new location (e.g., moved sinceoperation 601). These comparisons may utilize patternrecognition/matching techniques to reveal movement. For example, anidentified pattern in the wood grain of a hardwood floor captured in afirst image at operation 601 may be located on the far right edge of thefirst image. In contrast, the same pattern captured in a second(subsequently capture) image at operation 609 may be located on thecenter of the second image. This apparent shift in the pattern mayindicate that the loudspeaker 105A has moved to the left betweenoperations 601 and 609. In one embodiment, the distance of movement ofthe loudspeaker 105A may be determined based on a distance between thepattern in the first image and a distance of the pattern in the secondimage. As described in greater detail below, this determined distanceand direction of movement for the loudspeaker 105A may be used togenerate a new set of parameters for driving the loudspeaker 105A and/orthe loudspeaker 105B without the need for a full recalibration of theloudspeakers 105A and 105B.

In the example provided above, the pattern in the floor is identified inboth the first image and the second image. However, in otherembodiments, movement may be determined based on the absence of thepattern in the second image. Since the pattern is not located in thesecond image, operation 609 may determine that the loudspeaker 105A hasmoved, but may fail to conclude a specific distance and/or direction ofmovement. In this embodiment, as will be described in greater detailbelow, a full recalibration of the loudspeakers 105A and 105B may beperformed since the degree and direction of movement may be unknown.

In one embodiment, tilting or rotation of the loudspeaker 105A may bedetermined based on the detection that the pattern identified in thefirst image has been captured from a different perspective/angle and/orhas rotated in the second image. In this embodiment, a specific degreeof tilt or rotation may be determined based on the differences in eachof the first and second images.

In one embodiment, the pattern observed in the first image may appearlarger or smaller in the second image. This change in apparent size mayindicate that the loudspeaker 105A has been raised or lowered (e.g.,mounted on a wall or demounted and placed on the floor). In thisembodiment, a specific distance of movement may be determined based onthe change in pattern size between the first and second images.

Although described above in relation to a still image camera, in someembodiments a video camera may be used. In this embodiment, the videocamera may capture video at specified intervals for a predeterminedduration and/or in response to another triggering event. The capturedvideos may be examined to determine movement and/or determine adirection and degree of movement in a similar fashion as described abovein relation to the still image camera.

The cameras used for the loudspeaker 105A may utilize any image/videocapture technology. For example, the cameras may use charge-coupledevice (CCD) and/or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)active pixel sensors. In some embodiments, the cameras may utilize lowframe rate sensors (e.g., ten frames per second) and/or low fidelitysensors such as those used in computer mice. By using reduced capabilitysensors, the cameras used in the loudspeaker 105A may consume lessenergy and provide a more compact fit in comparison to other higherquality devices while not significantly compromising relative movementestimates.

Compass

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include a compass fordetermining an altered orientation of the loudspeaker 105A. In thisembodiment, movement of the loudspeaker 105A may trigger acorresponding, different heading output from the compass indicating thedegree of rotation. For example, rotating the loudspeaker 105A fifteendegrees counterclockwise may produce an output of −15° while rotatingthe loudspeaker 105A fifteen degrees clockwise may produce an output of15°. Accordingly, both the direction of rotation and degree of rotationmay be determined by the compass. The compass may utilize any type ofsensor technology. For example, the compass may be a magnetic compass ora gyrocompass.

Gyroscope

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include a gyroscope fordetecting the tilt and/or rotation of the loudspeaker 105A. For example,the gyroscope may determine the amount that the loudspeaker 105A hasrotated or titled relative to a previous orientation (e.g., theorientation of the loudspeaker 105A at operation 601). Similar to thecompass, the gyroscope may output the degree and direction oforientation change. The gyroscope may use any type of sensor technology,for example, the gyroscope may be a micro electro-mechanical system(MEMS) gyroscope, a fiber optic gyroscope (FOG), a Hemisphericalresonator gyroscope (HRG), a vibrating structure gyroscope (VSG), adynamically tuned gyroscope (DTG), or a London moment gyroscope.

Light Sensor

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include a light sensor fordetecting the level of ambient light surrounding the loudspeaker 105A.The light sensor may be a photoresistor or a light-dependent resistor(LDR) that decreases resistance with increasing incident light. In oneembodiment, the detection of more or less ambient light may indicate achange of environment for the loudspeaker 105A. For example, usingheuristics, operation 609 may determine that the loudspeaker 105A isinitially in an environment in which the level of light does not extendabove a particular level during a designated period (e.g., a twenty-fourhour period). Upon detection of a light level that exceeds thisparticular level or exceeds this level by a predetermined varianceamount, operation 609 may determine that the loudspeaker 105A has movedto a new location. In response to this general determination ofmovement, a full recalibration of the loudspeaker 105A and/or theloudspeaker 105B may need to be performed as will be described below.Although described in relation to an upper light level, similarcomparisons and determinations may be made regarding lower light levels.

Accelerometer

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include an accelerometer formeasuring acceleration of the loudspeaker 105A. For example, theaccelerometer may detect that the loudspeaker 105A is accelerating at0.2 meters per second. This acceleration information may be used todetermine the total movement of the loudspeaker 105A and the directionof movement of the loudspeaker 105A. The accelerometer may be any typeof accelerometer, including a capacitive accelerometer, a piezoelectricresistive accelerometer, a magnetic induction accelerometer, amicromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer, etc.

In one embodiment, readings from the accelerometer may be used todetermine that the loudspeaker 105A has been moved to a new surface orhas been mounted in a different fashion. For example, when theloudspeaker 105A is placed on a hard surface (e.g., a table or ahardwood floor), sound from the loudspeaker 105A may produce more severevibrations than when the loudspeaker 105A is placed on a soft surface(e.g., a carpeted floor). Similarly, when the loudspeaker 105A ismounted on a rigid structure (e.g., mounted on a wall), sound from theloudspeaker 105A may produce more severe vibrations than when theloudspeaker 105A is not attached to a rigid structure (e.g., placed on acarpeted floor). These changes in placement of the loudspeaker 105A mayindicate that the loudspeaker 105A has moved and/or the environmentsurrounding the loudspeaker 105A has changed (i.e., the loudspeaker 105Ahas been placed on a different surface).

Thermometer

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include a thermometer formeasuring the ambient temperature surrounding the loudspeaker 105A. Inone embodiment, detection that a temperature output from the thermometerhas exceeded a previous record temperature may indicate that theloudspeaker 105A has moved to another environment. For example,heuristic data may indicate that the loudspeaker 105A is typically in anarea in which the ambient temperature never rises above 75° Fahrenheit.However, temperature readings at operation 609 may indicate the ambienttemperature surrounding the loudspeaker 105A has increased to 90°Fahrenheit. This change in temperature may indicate that the loudspeaker105A has moved relative to the previous readings. Similar inferences mayalso be made about regarding a historic low temperature level. In oneembodiment, the temperature levels may be relative to time ofyear/season.

Antennas

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include one or more antennasfor detecting and/or transmitting wireless signals. In one embodiment,the antennas may be associated with the interface 213—see FIG. 2b .Accordingly, the antennas may be adapted/designed to operate with theIEEE 802.11 suite of standards, cellular Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) standards, cellular Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA) standards, Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards, and/or Bluetoothstandards.

In one embodiment, the antennas may be used to detect general wirelessnoise/signals in the area of the loudspeaker 105A at operation 609.Comparing these detected wireless signal/noise values with heuristicdata, operation 609 may determine that the loudspeaker 105A has moved.For example, in some embodiments the loudspeaker 105A may have beeninitially located in an environment with a large degree of microwavenoise and/or proximate to a wireless base station with a particularservice set identifier (SSID). In response to detecting a drop in thelevel of microwave noise and/or a loss of detection of the base station,operation 609 may determine that the loudspeaker 105A has moved fromthis original location.

In one embodiment, triangulation of the loudspeaker 105A relative tomultiple wireless devices may be performed to determine the exactlocation of the loudspeaker 105A. For example, using received signalstrength indication (RSSI) readings from three or more wireless devices(e.g., access points, wireless controllers, mobile phones, etc.), thelocation of the loudspeaker 105A may be estimated. This estimatedlocation may be compared against a previous location to determinewhether the loudspeaker 105A has moved.

Microphones

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include one or moremicrophones. The microphones may sense sounds and convert these sensedsounds into electrical signals. The microphones may be any type ofacoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor, including a MicroElectro-Mechanical System (MEMS) microphone, a piezoelectric microphone,an electret condenser microphone, or a dynamic microphone. Themicrophones may be operated together as a microphone array. In such anembodiment, an array process may be performed that may utilize variousweights and delays upon the microphone signals, to produce a range ofpolar sound pick up patterns, such as cardioid, omnidirectional, andfigure-eight. The generated polar patterns alter the direction and areaof sound captured in the vicinity of the loudspeaker 105A. In oneembodiment, the polar patterns of the microphones may vary continuouslyover time.

In one embodiment, the microphones may be used to determine the locationof the loudspeaker 105A relative to another sound source. For example,the microphones may detect sounds within the cabinet 111 of loudspeaker105 a, which were emitted from the loudspeaker 105B. Based on thesedetected sounds and knowledge of the time at which the sounds wereoriginally played through the loudspeaker 105B or the level at which thesounds were played, operation 609 may determine a delay time and/or alevel difference. These delay and level difference values may be used toestimate the relative distance between the loudspeaker 105A and theloudspeaker 105B based on a general or specific determination of thesound propagation in the listening area 101. Through comparison of thesevalues with previous locations/distances, operation 609 may determine ifthe loudspeaker 105A has moved relative to another sound source and adirection and distance of movement.

Although described as calculation of location/distances relative to theloudspeaker 105B, in other embodiments other sound sources may be used.For example, in other embodiments sound from the listener 107 or noisefrom a stationary source (e.g., noise from the compressor of arefrigerator) may be used to calculate location/distances using similartechniques.

In one embodiment, the microphones may be used to determinecharacteristics of the environment in which the loudspeaker 105A iscurrently located. For example, the microphones may be used to detectsounds emitted by the loudspeaker 105A. The detected sounds may beanalyzed to determine the presence of reflections, the level ofreflections, and delays between the reflections and the original outputsound. For instance, in one embodiment, large reflections that occurwith minimal delay may indicate that the loudspeaker 105A is adjacent toa wall or other hard surfaces (e.g., furniture). In one embodiment, thepresence and characteristics of reflections may be compared againstpreviously detected sounds to determine whether the loudspeaker 105A hasmoved. For example, the lack of reflections or the reduction in thelevel of reflections in comparison to previous microphone readings maybe indicative of movement of the loudspeaker 105A.

Pressure Sensor

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include a pressure sensorfor detecting the pressure surrounding the loudspeaker 105A. In oneembodiment, the pressure sensor may be a microphone or a barometer. Thepressure sensor may determine movement of the loudspeaker 105A based onchanges in ambient pressure. For example, at operation 601 thebarometric pressure may be detected to be 1000 millibars. In contrast,at operation 609 the barometric pressure may be detected to be 1100millibars. This change in pressure may indicate that the loudspeaker105A has changed environments and accordingly has moved. This movementmay be attributed to being moved to a new floor within a building. Inone embodiment, the pressure levels may be relative to time ofyear/season.

Current/Voltage Sensors

In one embodiment, the loudspeaker 105A may include a current/voltagemonitor. The current/voltage monitor may monitor the current leveland/or voltage level from a power outlet from which the loudspeaker 105Ais receiving electricity. For example, the current/voltage sensor mayindicate that the loudspeaker 105A is currently receiving 15 amps at 121volts. In contrast, the current/voltage sensor may have previously havedetected 14 amps at 119 volts. This change in current and/or voltage mayindicate that the loudspeaker 105A has been plugged-in to a differentoutlet since the new measurement and accordingly has been moved betweenmeasurements.

In one embodiment, one or more of the sensor values described above maybe used to determine movement of the loudspeaker 105A through comparisonwith an associated set of threshold and/or variance levels. For example,the determined current ambient light level may be compared at operation609 with a threshold value provided by a previous measurement (e.g., anambient light value recorded at operation 601). In response todetermining that the ambient light value detected at operation 609 isdifferent from the threshold ambient light value by a predefinedvariance amount, operation 609 may determine that the loudspeaker 105Ahas moved. As noted above, the threshold values may be time of year andtime of day specific.

In one embodiment, the sensors 217 may record values at predeterminedintervals (e.g., at one minute intervals). While in other embodiments,one or more of the sensors 217 may remain active at all times. In oneembodiment, one of the sensors 217 may trigger another sensor 217 topower on. For example, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a compass, or anantenna may be used to trigger a camera, a light sensor, a thermometer,a microphone, a pressure sensor, and/or a current/voltage sensor topower on. In these embodiments, upon the accelerometer, the gyroscope,the compass, and/or the antenna detecting movement as described above,one or more of these devices may trigger other sensors to power on. Inthis fashion, power may be conserved while still allowing potentiallymore power consuming sensors to operate to detect movement of theloudspeaker 105A.

Although described above in relation to analysis of individual sensors217 to determine the movement or change of environment for theloudspeaker 105A, in other embodiments operation 609 may utilize acombination of two or more sensors 217 in this analysis. For example,operation 609 may determine an overall confidence of movement or changeof environment based on readings from multiple sensors 217. In thisembodiment, one sensor 217 may strongly indicate movement while multipleother sensors 217 may indicate that the loudspeaker 105A has not moved.Accordingly, operation 609 may conclude that the movement determinationby the single sensor 217 is inaccurate based on the contrary conclusionof the majority of other sensors 217.

Similarly, in one embodiment, the degree and/or direction of movement ofthe loudspeaker 105A may be computed based on inputs from multiplesensors 217. For example, analysis of the readings from cameras mayindicate that the loudspeaker 105A has moved one meter to the left whilereadings from antennas may indicate that the loudspeaker 105A has movedthree meters to the left. In this example, operation 609 may average thetwo distance values and determine that the loudspeaker 105A has movedtwo meters to the left. Similar computations may be applied todirectional values as well. Although described as a strict averagebetween values, in other embodiments, weighted averages may be computedbased on confidence levels in particular sensor 217 readings (e.g.,confidence based on strength of signals, alignment of computed valueswith other computed estimates, and/or historical analysis of eachestimate). In other embodiments, other statistical and analyticaltechniques may be employed at operation 609 to determine movement andthe level of movement.

Upon determining at operation 609 that the loudspeaker 105A has moved,the method 600 may move to operation 611 to determine whether themovement is significant enough to warrant a full recalibration of theloudspeaker 105A and/or the loudspeaker 105B. For example, whenoperation 609 determines a distance of movement and/or a degree ofreorientation (e.g., rotation or tilting), operation 611 may comparethese values against a set of predefined thresholds. In this embodiment,when the determined values from operation 609 are determined to berelatively minor (e.g., less than the threshold values), the method 600may move to operation 613 to adjust the first set of parameters based onthe values from operation 609.

As noted above, the parameters may include delays, level differences,gain values, and/or phase values for driving each of the transducers 109in the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105B. Since the level ofmovement/reorientation determined at operation 609 is relatively smallbased on comparison with threshold values at operation 611, “small”adjustments may be made to the first set of parameters at operation 613to produce a second set of parameters (without again ascertaining thecomplete environment of the loudspeakers 105 a, 105 b, or withoutrecalibrating the system to thereby generate a new set of parameters orsettings for driving the transducers 109). The adjustments produced atoperation 613 may be based on previously known similar configurationsand/or other heuristic values. For example, the adjustment at operation613 may be based on models of the positioning of the loudspeaker 105A,the loudspeaker 105B, and/or the listener 107. Further, the adjustmentallows sound produced by the loudspeaker 105A and/or 105B to remainsimilar or identical at the location of the listener 107, despite nothaving recalibrated or ascertained the complete environment. Namely, thesecond (adjusted) set of parameters ensure that the level of sound andapparent direction of sound produced by the loudspeakers 105A and/or105B, at the listener 107, after the movement detected at operation 609,is similar or identical to levels and directions at the listener 107prior to the movement of the loudspeaker 105A when the first set ofparameters were utilized.

When the determined values from operation 609 are 1) determined to besignificant at operation 611 (i.e., above the predefined thresholdvalues) or 2) operation 609 failed to produce specific movement orchange of environment values (i.e., operation 609 only determines thatthe loudspeaker 105A has generally moved), the method 600 may move tooperation 615. At operation 615 a full recalibration of the loudspeaker105A and/or the loudspeaker 105B may be performed, to produce the secondset of parameters. The full recalibration may include the use of aseparate device apart from the loudspeakers 105A and 105B and the audioreceiver 103, for determining the location, orientation, and environmentof the loudspeakers 105A and 105B. As noted above, this fullrecalibration may include playing a set of audible or inaudible testsounds through the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105B, and detection of thesetest sounds by a separate listening device that may be located proximateto the listener 107. However, in other embodiments, other recalibrationtechniques may be used, including techniques that are based on inputsreceived from the sensors 217.

Following generation of the second set of parameters either throughsmall adjustments of the first set of parameters at operation 613 orthrough a full recalibration at operation 615, operation 617 may playthe piece of sound program content received at operation 603 using thesecond set of parameters. Similar to the first set of parameters, thesecond set of parameters allows the production of an intended set ofsounds at the location of the listener 107, based on the newconfiguration of the loudspeaker 105A (by generating the drive signalsfor the transducers 109 in accordance with the second set ofparameters.) As described above, by detecting movement of theloudspeaker 105A and attempting to first “merely adjust” the parametersused to drive the loudspeakers 105A and/or 105B, before performing afull recalibration, the method 600 provides a more efficient scheme forensuring accurate playback of audio in the listening area 101.

As explained above, an embodiment of the invention may be an article ofmanufacture in which a machine-readable medium (such as microelectronicmemory) has stored thereon instructions which program one or more dataprocessing components (generically referred to here as a “processor”) toperform the operations described above. In other embodiments, some ofthese operations might be performed by specific hardware components thatcontain hardwired logic (e.g., dedicated digital filter blocks and statemachines). Those operations might alternatively be performed by anycombination of programmed data processing components and fixed hardwiredcircuit components.

While certain embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat the invention is not limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those of ordinary skill in the art. The description is thus tobe regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for adjusting drive parameters for oneor more loudspeakers, comprising: driving, by an audio source, the oneor more loudspeakers to output sound based on a first set of driveparameters; detecting a change to one loudspeaker of the one or moreloudspeakers based on one or more sensors integrated within a cabinet ofthe one loudspeaker; adjusting, in response to the detected change, thefirst set of drive parameters to account for the change of the oneloudspeaker, wherein the adjustment produces a second set of driveparameters, and wherein the second set of drive parameters comprises achange in delays and gain values as compared to the first set of driveparameters of the one or more loudspeakers; and if the detected changeis a level of movement, performing the adjustment in response to thelevel of movement of the one loudspeaker being below a threshold level,and performing a full recalibration of the one or more loudspeakers inresponse to the level of movement of the one loudspeaker not being belowthe threshold level, to produce the second set of drive parameters, thefull recalibration including determining an environment of the one ormore loudspeakers in a listening area wherein determining theenvironment includes determining a position of the one or moreloudspeakers relative to objects and structures in the listening area;and driving, by the audio source, the one or more loudspeakers to outputsound based on the second set of drive parameters.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein performing the full recalibration includes use of a) adevice separate from the one or more loudspeakers and b) the audiosource for determining the location and environment of the one or moreloudspeakers.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensorsincludes one or more of a video camera, a still image camera, a compass,an accelerometer, a light sensor, a wireless antenna, a thermometer, acurrent and voltage monitor, a microphone, a gyroscope, and a pressuremonitor.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: capturing, by acamera integrated on a top or bottom surface of the one loudspeaker, afirst image representing an area above or an area below the oneloudspeaker at a first point in time; capturing, by the camera, a secondimage representing the area above or an area below the one loudspeakerat a second point in time; detecting a pattern in the first image at afirst location; detecting the pattern in the second image at a secondlocation; and determining the level of movement and a direction ofmovement of the one loudspeaker based on the distance between the firstlocation in the first image and the second location in the second image.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the change to the one loudspeakerdescribes a change to the environment surrounding the one loudspeaker,including one or more of an ambient light level, an ambient temperaturelevel, a barometric pressure level, a voltage or current level providedto the one loudspeaker, and radio-frequency signals proximate to the oneloudspeaker.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the movement describesone or more of vertical movement, horizontal movement, tilt movement,and rotational movement of the one loudspeaker.
 7. A loudspeaker,comprising: a cabinet forming a structure of the loudspeaker; one ormore transducers integrated within the cabinet; one or more sensors toproduce sensor signals corresponding to detected physical quantitiesassociated with the loudspeaker; and an orientation and positioningdevice to determine movement or change to an environment of theloudspeaker based on the sensor signals and generate new driveparameters used to drive the one or more transducers in response todetected movement of the loudspeaker, if a level of movement of the oneloudspeaker is below a threshold level, the generation of the new driveparameters by the orientation and positioning unit is based onadjustment of old drive parameters, if the level of movement of theloudspeaker is above the threshold level, the generation of the newdrive parameters by the orientation and positioning unit is based on afull recalibration of the loudspeaker that includes determining theenvironment of the loudspeaker which includes determining a position ofthe one or more loudspeakers relative to objects and structures in thelistening area, wherein the new drive parameters comprise a change indelays and gain values as compared to the old drive parameters.
 8. Theloudspeaker of claim 7, wherein the full recalibration includes use of adevice separate from the loudspeaker.
 9. The loudspeaker of claim 7,wherein the one or more sensors includes one or more of a video camera,a still image camera, a compass, an accelerometer, a light sensor, awireless antenna, a thermometer, a current and voltage monitor, amicrophone, a gyroscope, and a pressure monitor.
 10. The loudspeaker ofclaim 7, further comprising: a camera integrated on a top or bottomsurface of the one loudspeaker to capture 1) a first image representingan area above or an area below the loudspeaker at a first point in timeand 2) a second image representing the area above or an area below theloudspeaker at a second point in time, wherein the orientation andpositioning unit 1) detects a pattern in the first image at a firstlocation; 2) detects the pattern in the second image at a secondlocation; and 3) determines the level of movement and the direction ofmovement of the loudspeaker based on the distance between the firstlocation in the first image and the second location in the second image.11. The loudspeaker of claim 7, wherein the change to the environmentsurrounding the loudspeaker includes one or more of an ambient lightlevel, an ambient temperature level, a barometric pressure level, avoltage or current level provided to the loudspeaker, andradio-frequency signals proximate to the loudspeaker.
 12. Theloudspeaker of claim 7, wherein the movement describes one or more ofvertical movement, horizontal movement, tilt movement, and rotationalmovement of the loudspeaker.
 13. An article of manufacture for adjustingdrive parameters for one or more loudspeakers, comprising: anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium that stores instructionswhich, when executed by a processor in a computer, drive, by an audiosource, the one or more loudspeakers to output sound based on a firstset of drive parameters; detect a change to one loudspeaker of one ormore loudspeakers based on one or more sensors integrated within the oneloudspeaker; adjust, in response to the detected change, the first setof drive parameters used to drive the one or more loudspeakers toaccount for the change of the one loudspeaker, wherein the adjustmentproduces a second set of drive parameters having a change in delays andgain values as compared to the first set of drive parameters of the oneor more loudspeakers; and if the detected change is a level of movement,perform the adjustment in response to the level of movement of the oneloudspeaker being below a threshold level, and perform a fullrecalibration of the one or more loudspeakers in response to the levelof movement of the one loudspeaker not being below the threshold level,to produce the second set of drive parameters, the full recalibrationincluding determining an environment of the one or more loudspeakers ina listening area wherein determining the environment includesdetermining a position of the one or more loudspeakers relative toobjects and structures in the listening area; and driving, by the audiosource, the one or more loud speakers to output sound based on thesecond set of drive parameters.
 14. The article of manufacture of claim13, wherein the full recalibration includes use of a device separatefrom the one or more loudspeakers for determining the location andenvironment of the one or more loudspeakers.
 15. The article ofmanufacture of claim 13, wherein the one or more sensors includes one ormore of a video camera, a still image camera, a compass, anaccelerometer, a light sensor, a wireless antenna, a thermometer, acurrent and voltage monitor, a microphone, a gyroscope, and a pressuremonitor.
 16. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium stores furtherinstructions which when executed by the processor: detect a pattern in afirst image at a first location, wherein the first image is captured bya camera integrated on a top or bottom surface of the one loudspeakerand the first image represents an area above or an area below the oneloudspeaker at a first point in time; detect the pattern in a secondimage at a second location, wherein the second image is captured by thecamera integrated on a top or bottom surface of the one loudspeaker andthe second image represents the area above or the area below the oneloudspeaker at a second point in time; and determine the level ofmovement and a direction of movement of the one loudspeaker based on thedistance between the first location in the first image and the secondlocation in the second image.
 17. The article of manufacture of claim13, wherein the change to the one loudspeaker describes a change to theenvironment surrounding the one loudspeaker, including one or more of anambient light level, an ambient temperature level, a barometric pressurelevel, a voltage or current level provided to the one loudspeaker, andradio-frequency signals proximate to the one loudspeaker.
 18. Thearticle of manufacture of claim 13, wherein the movement describes oneor more of vertical movement, horizontal movement, tilt movement, androtational movement of the one loudspeaker.